THE DEPARTMENT of Education reported that not a single case of Covid19 has been detected in public schools where physical classes are being held.

However, some schools found it challenging to get students to follow health protocols, Assistant Secretary Malcolm Garma said.

She said that students, especially those in kindergarten, “tend to take off their [face] mask after a short period of time.”

Garma added that teaching children to follow health protocols should be integrated in face-to-face learning to make them understand the importance of wearing a mask or frequent hand-washing.

Children also forget physical distancing, and they interact closely with each other at times.

“Dito papasok ‘yong role ng ating mga guro na continuously magpaalala sa ating mga mag-aaral at sa iba pa na talagang ‘yong social o physical distancing ang pinakamahalagang bagay para masigurong walang mahahawa,” Garma said.

At least 56 schools submitted reports on the initial conduct of physical classes.

Only students from Kindergarten to Grade 3 and senior high school are allowed to join the pilot implementation of in-person classes that started on Nov. 15.